Resident pitches 'Miami Lakes Local Lotto' and EDC votes to sponsor in name

A Miami Lakes resident and business owner asked the Economic Development Committee to back a business-led promotion called the Miami Lakes Local Lotto (also described as a bingo-style promotion), and the committee voted to sponsor the initiative in name.

Kimberly, who identified herself as a member of the Special Needs Advisory Board and a local business owner, described the proposal during public comment: “residents would be able to purchase a bingo card with 24 spaces on it, and each space represents a different business.” She said participating businesses would provide a small offer or allow a customer to receive a sticker when they make a purchase; each completed line on the card would count as an entry in a raffle and completing the whole card would yield additional entries. Kimberly told the committee she had discussed the idea with the Miami Lakes Chamber, which supported a grand-prize concept; she said a $3,000 grand prize was a working figure to be funded by sponsorships and card sales.

Kimberly asked for town support to list the initiative on the town website, to allow organizers to use a town “in partnership with” tagline, and to help promote the program. She said she had secured six businesses informally and set a deadline of Nov. 1 for business sign-ups so sponsors can be listed on printed materials. Kimberly told the committee the business participation fee per square would range from $1.25 to $1.75 depending on placement on the card.

Following the public comment, the EDC formally moved to sponsor the Miami Lakes Local Lotto in name. The motion was approved by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript. Committee members discussed next steps: drafting a formal packet for businesses, clarifying whether participating merchants must provide a free item or simply accept purchase-based participation, confirming sponsorship and prize-funding mechanics, and seeking a council agenda slot to report the EDC’s sponsorship. The committee noted that formal sponsorship or use of the town name may require separate council approval and that the EDC’s vote at this meeting was an endorsement to bring the idea forward.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting include Kimberly’s sign-up deadline (Nov. 1), the fee range per business square ($1.25–$1.75), that six businesses had provided preliminary interest, and a proposed $3,000 grand prize to be funded by sponsorships and card sales. The EDC asked staff to prepare materials that would allow a future council presentation or formal sponsorship vote if required.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to sponsor the Miami Lakes Local Lotto in name: approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded.

The committee did not adopt detailed rules for the lotto at this meeting; members said they expected the program to remain business-led and requested a formal business packet, a signup process and a town-staff point of contact for any co-branding or website placement.